Greenpeace action highlights need for transition strategy

Dr Kaye said: "Greenpeace activists locked on to the coal conveyer belt at Eraring power station on the Central Coast have issued the challenge to Premier Morris Iemma.
 
"The only way to protect jobs in the Hunter Valley, on the Central Coast and throughout NSW is to start planning now for a renewable energy based future.
 
"So far the Iemma government has paid lip service to low-emissions energy sources and spent their time and the government's resources on entrenching coal as the main source of electricity.
 
"Treasurer Costa's obsession with privatising the generators will create unnecessary barriers to any transition to a clean energy future.
 
"Public ownership is essential to managing the transition to a low carbon future in a way that minimises the economic disruption to the state and protects power station workers and their communities.
 
"The publication of the Garnaut report tomorrow will further highlight the failings of the Iemma government's strategy.
 
"Greenpeace has a vision for the future that will create jobs and manage the impact of changing technologies on affected communities.
 
"The Iemma government is distracted by the clean coal myth and the Treasurer's privatisation fetish.
 
"Greenpeace is to be congratulated for its intervention at Eraring Power station. They have issued a wakeup call that should not be ignored," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455